Empowerment Through The Arts

We are surrounded by boundless expressions of art, framed by our own experience and colored by our perspective. It exists because we do. Paul Chelko lived a life without boundaries through his art. With love as the message, whether painted, sculpted, written or spoken, Paul saw and revealed beauty in everything he touched and everyone he met. Art is transformative and empowering. The Chelko Foundation promotes, encourages and supports art in all forms.

Empowerment Through Education

Working with and through established charitable organizations The Chelko Foundation both serves and supports the larger community. As a global organization, the Chelko Foundation message of empowerment reaches thousands of people and the art it supports has made a measurable and profound affect on the lives of many.

Empowerment Through Partnerships

“Until women are free, no one is free”. The message is clear and the Chelko Foundation is committed to teaching others, through art, that discrimination, violence and oppression only serve to hold us back. To affect a positive change in the way we view others and ourselves and live as expressions of love in a world of creative opportunity.

Our Results

The Chelko Foundation is proud of the work we do and we are even more proud of the groups and organizations we work with. While it is impossible to claim victory over the issues that plague women in our community and throughout the world, we can be proud of the things we have been able to accomplish through our outreach, fundraising and awareness initiatives. We thank everyone who has supported our mission and we look forward to working with you all as we continue to empower women through art, education and partnership.

What People Are Saying

we are immensely thankful for your kind donation to Moving in the Spirit. Your gift will reach a child’s life far beyond dance class. I’ll let Jenan, a twelve-year-old dancer in our Junior Company for girls, express the impact donors like you have had on the lives of our students:

“Moving in the Spirit feels like home. My classmates inspire me because they are on point, have a good attitude, and are passionate about dancing. I’ve learned that no matter how bad things get, I will be encouraged by my teachers and friends at Moving in the Spirit. It makes me believe in myself.”

Janan and her fellow Junior Company members recently trained with dancers from Emory University’s dance program during a partnership that spanned several weeks. Dance students from Emory ma to Moving in the Spirit and were paired with Junior company dancers. Each pair learned about a pioneering female choreographer from dance history, then created movement in the style of that choreographer. Our Junior Company girls then visited Emory University, where they toured the college campus, took workshops in the state-of-the-art Schwartz Center, and taught their own original movement to dance students at Emory. Junior Company dancers shared that the experience was incredibly uplifting for them, boosting confidence in their dancing, creative instincts and teaching abilities.

Supporters like you ensure our students continue to receive such life-changing opportunities. You absolutely make a difference.

Thank you for uplifting our young leaders.

Dana Lupton

the Beauty From Within Day was truly a joy. You have been such a great role model and inspiration to our mothers in recovery. Thank you so much for all your time and talents.

Brin Black

The Tootsies Event last Thursday was a magical night for Reconnecting Families and even more so for our moms who magically became runway models. the warmth, kindness and guidance you gave each mom gave her the confidence to walk the runway. your encouragement gave them the strength to show all who were present just how beautiful they are.

The Chelko foundation’s goal is to empower women who might not otherwise be empowered to be the amazing women they are meant to be. Our Court with the support of Reconnecting Families seeks to take drug addicted moms and provide treatment and hold them accountable. That is to “empower” them to become good, clean and sober mothers.

I am confident that after Thursday night each mom feels and knows she is beautiful. She also now has the confidence and beauty from within to get through each day, even the tough days. This is true empowerment! Thank you.

I look forward to our continued partnership with Chelko. We cannot wait for you to meet the other amazing moms in our Family Dependency Treatment Court.

Juanita P. Stedman

Your girl was indeed touched by an angel, as were we all, and look at that talent!!

Could Paul be saying Hi to all of us with the message delivered by just one of the beautiful ladies he loved? Could he be saying, “I got your number…I got your back?” Now go follow your heart. Just do it!” Paul was Nike before Nike.

Art Harris

I just wanted to say hi and to also let you guys know that I just paid one third of my tuition left to finish my Master of Science in Entrepreneurship degree with the money I made doing your trade show! I just wanted to let you guys know how much I appreciate it. I’ll have a Master’s degree by April 2015! If you can let Peter know, that would be awesome too! Thanks again and I hope you are doing well!

Nicole Desiree Hays

There are two simple (but big) reasons why I support the Chelko Foundation. I have witnessed the passionate and selfless levels of dedication given by Chelko’s director (and it’s team) to uphold and achieve their mission. Secondly, and most significantly, I’ve met some of the women whose lives have been touched by Chelko’s efforts and their happiness is all the evidence anyone needs to know that this is a group worth supporting.

E. Vincent Martinez

ON behalf of POOIA (Professional Organization of Iranian Americans) we would like to extend to you our appreciation for taking part in supporting Reconnecting Families at Tootsies event on August 22, 2013.

Our Iranian-American community opened its heart and came together, united to serve mothers who are recovering from drug abuse.

Your participants and their generosity made that night possible, creating an unforgettable evening and an opportunity for our community to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

We are grateful for your support.

POOIA

Thanks to the generous commitment that the Chelko Foundation makes to supporting the community, we are able to impact even more families in need of help,” said Executive Director Jeanine Chambers. “It was a unique night showcasing amazing talent from artists around the world. The $10,000 raised at Living Art America’s Bodies as a Work of Art 2013 will be used to help arrange 40 mission flights for patients in need of lifesaving medical treatment that isn’t available in their local area. At Angel Flight, we know that illness is stopped by boundaries – whether they are geographic or financial in nature – and we believe that cures shouldn’t be either. Thank you, Chelko Foundation, for helping make hope soar for these families.

Jeanine Chambers

I support the Chelko Foundation because it has created an innovative organization and built a living legacy. They raise money by celebrating the joy of self expression and give grants that enable women to achieve their vision and dreams. A perfect balance.

Harriet Leibowitz

I support the Chelko Foundation because I believe in their Mission; a world free of gender bias.

Jesse Ferguson

Again Ms. Layne I thank you so much. I went and paid the tuition today. I thank you. I thank you. I thank you. I hope I never forget this day and how The Chelko Foundation helped me. One day I hope to be there for you how you have been here for me.

Ashli Ognelodh

Dear Randi,

Thank you for the best-ever fashion show. We appreciate all you did to support Wine, Women and Shoes. You went above and beyond in your support and introductions to all of the designers. Again, thanks for everything. We will be calling soon to plan next year!

Freda Hardage

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With your generous support, The Chelko Foundation has been able to provide grants, scholarships and empowerment for women in need.

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